kids and the internet

[my2kidsmom]

My daughter has been begging me to review a particular site for approval. Well, I reviewed it and did not approve it. DD is 9 and really wants to find a website with a message board/forums where she can intereact with other kids.

Any suggestions?

Also, just curious, do you allow your kids to "play" on the internet? We do and we monitor it closely. Our computer is in our family room right out in the open. DH stays on top of all the spyware/adware, etc. and on keeping the right filters, etc.

[Jean in Newcastle]

My ds10 has computer time every Friday afternoon for about an hour. Most of the time I encourage him to use software that we have here - simulations software, games etc. About once a month I let him go on-line to pre-approved sites only. The computer with internet access is in the living room.

We've never done a message board for kids so input there.

[Eliana]

My daughter has been begging me to review a particular site for approval. Well, I reviewed it and did not approve it. DD is 9 and really wants to find a website with a message board/forums where she can intereact with other kids.

Any suggestions?

Also, just curious, do you allow your kids to "play" on the internet? We do and we monitor it closely. Our computer is in our family room right out in the open. DH stays on top of all the spyware/adware, etc. and on keeping the right filters, etc.


I would not allow a child to hang out on a message board anymore than I would let her go alone to visit with a random kids-only group I didn't know.
But then we are a very sheltering family, so ymmv. :)

And, no, our children never play on the internet. If a child is doing research, it is with a parent right there with her.

...but you need to find the solutions which feel right for your family.

Eliana

[sdWTMer]

The whole idea of that just gives me the willies. I don't let my kiddos do much at all on the internet. They can look at different symphony websites (that have kids sections), but I just couldn't imagine my kiddos chatting online other than email which I supervise.

[Miss Peregrine]

I let them go on for research(supervised) or to play starfall of math games. But that is is.

I learned my lesson after DD11 told me they had googled "beautiful butts" Her and DS 9 thought it would be oh, so funny(ha ha hee hee ho ho :rolleyes: )

[freethinkermom]

Both of my boys have their own computer. I actively discuss safety with them. They are allowed free access to the internet as long as I have a copy of all log in information for any sites they visit. The only restriction I have set up is checking off the box for google that blocks adult sites.

[Volty]

Both of my boys have their own computer. I actively discuss safety with them. They are allowed free access to the internet as long as I have a copy of all log in information for any sites they visit. The only restriction I have set up is checking off the box for google that blocks adult sites.

Someday I imagine this is what we'll be doing. I hadn't realized there was a parental censorship box to check.

We live in China. The internet is as near a vital lifeline for me as I could imagine. I want the kids to have lots of internet/computer experience and be proficient in finding things and surfing the web. At the same time of course is shielding them from some inappropriate things.

[momo4]

My 11 yos does research with me or I will set him up on a site to do a spelling game or geography game. I want my children to be computer literate as well, but letting them roam on their own or hanging out to chat would be out of the question at this point.

I was once looking up the words spiderman and coloring pages for a friend and was shocked to see the sites that popped up. Unfortunately my 7yos was with me and asked, "What does gay mean?", before I could scroll down and away.

Anyway, haven't you heard the internet is addictive???:o I am kidding, but serious.

[Tap, tap, tap]

How about letting her IM a friend or two. It can give her the same fun aspect but is much, much safer.

[Colleen]

I would not allow a child to hang out on a message board anymore than I would let her go alone to visit with a random kids-only group I didn't know...And, no, our children never play on the internet. If a child is doing research, it is with a parent right there with her.

Same here on all counts.

[Kate CA]

My daughter has been begging me to review a particular site for approval. Well, I reviewed it and did not approve it. DD is 9 and really wants to find a website with a message board/forums where she can intereact with other kids.

Any suggestions?

Also, just curious, do you allow your kids to "play" on the internet? We do and we monitor it closely. Our computer is in our family room right out in the open. DH stays on top of all the spyware/adware, etc. and on keeping the right filters, etc.

We are a very computer literate family (dh is in the business) and my children blog under an assumed name, but they do not, under any circumstances "play" on the internet. There are many things that even the simplest most innocent google search will bring up that have NOTHING to do with the subject. I have had naked pictures come up for seaches under the most benign things. I was searching for lyrics to an innocent song and had male privates pop up on the screen. I was NOT on an "adult" site so google would not block it. There are so many ways that purveyors of filth get their sickness out there. I would never allow my children free regin on the internet!!

If we seach for things (which we do pretty frequently) I ask them to close their eyes or go away from the computer until I have up what I need them to see. I don't think it is in any way necessary that my dc have a message board or chat area for them. They have their very specific places they can go, their fellow blogging homeschooling friends, and that is enough. I want them focused on real life relationships rather than internet ones. I just don't think they have the discernment we do in these areas.

I have had a few friends that I have met on the internet transition into real life friendships - email conversations, phone calls, meeting in person - but I am an adult and know what I am doing. There is a world of difference to me.

Kate

[Excelsior! Academy]

Both of my boys have their own computer. I actively discuss safety with them. They are allowed free access to the internet as long as I have a copy of all log in information for any sites they visit. The only restriction I have set up is checking off the box for google that blocks adult sites.


Just make sure they don't know how to delete their history.

Mine have about 3 websites they are allowed on with permission. I hope someday I'll have time to preapprove more. I would love more information on the google boc.

[Excelsior! Academy]

I let them go on for research(supervised) or to play starfall of math games. But that is is.

I learned my lesson after DD11 told me they had googled "beautiful butts" Her and DS 9 thought it would be oh, so funny(ha ha hee hee ho ho :rolleyes: )

Oh man! I bet that came up with some interesting sites!!:eek:

I discovered how easy it was to find the wrong thing when I googled American Girl for my dd. I was thinking DOLLS. That is NOT what came up! DH was like, "What were you thinking?" I guess I was REALLY niave!

[8FillTheHeart]

I don't let any of my younger kids go to any website that I don't log them into. For my 9yr, they are usually Nick, Noggin, Strawberry Shortcake, and Woodlands Junior School.

My 14 yod and 16 yos both have Facebook pgs. They are limited to only "admitting" people they know IRL. I do periodically have them show me their "friends" list while they are online to verify that they are following that rule. I would never let any young kids do that. I actually let my 14 yod do it months ago and just allowed our 16 yos last week. (the difference in their responsibility levels.)

[Plaid Dad]

My dd is younger than yours, but we have no intention of letting her use the computer for socializing at that age. We stress that the computer is a tool for work and research, and not primarily a means of entertainment.

[GreenKitty]

We do not allow our children to get on message boards. I think it would just be cause for trouble at that young age. Also the amount of predators just waiting amongst them, is too risky. Unfortunatley there is plenty of time for forums later. :rolleyes:

Yes, we do let them play on specific sites. Are you looking for good websites?

[NicksMama-Zack's Mama Too]

Both of my boys have their own computer. I actively discuss safety with them. They are allowed free access to the internet as long as I have a copy of all log in information for any sites they visit. The only restriction I have set up is checking off the box for google that blocks adult sites.

We also use Ad-Bloc. We don't have tv, so my kids spend a lot of screen time watching Netflix Instawatch, visiting RPG sights, creating Pivot stories, watching YouTube videos of tv shows and magic instructional videos. They have Yahoo mail accounts which I oversee. They don't do any IM'ing. They know all about releasing personal information on the net (no-no). We are on a router and I limit screen time by limiting access via the router. No access during school hours (9-4). After that, it's free. They don't go overboard and love to do a lot of other things (K'nex, drawing, reading).

[Jean in Newcastle]

I was looking for the "Beautiful Feet History Guides" and googled "beautiful feet" - who knew there were so many sites for people with foot fetishes!! Ack! (But kind of funny in a sick way.)

[Ria]

I wouldn't be comfortable with that even with my internet-saavy 15-year old. Why not let your dd get instant messenger and an email account so she can chat with friends that you already know?

Ria

[sdWTMer]

You know, I must say that I like the idea of my kiddos blogging under an assumed name. How nice it would be to further writing skills. Hmmm. I will have to think on it a little more and ask dh too.

[Kelli in TN]

Oh man! I bet that came up with some interesting sites!!:eek:

I discovered how easy it was to find the wrong thing when I googled American Girl for my dd. I was thinking DOLLS. That is NOT what came up! DH was like, "What were you thinking?" I guess I was REALLY niave!

Yeah. You want to avoid the word "dollhouse" in the search box too.:eek:

The correct search term is "miniatures". Learned that one the hard way, yes I did.:rolleyes:

Another thing...I thought it would be so cool to google my maiden name. My maiden name is a very unusual Norwegian name. I kept finding sites with my stepsister's first name and my maiden name (she is adopted, so we have the same maiden name). Come to find out, there is apparently a famous "adult entertainment" celeb with my stepsister's maiden name. I am so glad she has a different last name now!

[Tracey in TX]

Internet is a way of life. We live in a high tech society. I let my children on the internet, but frequently review where they go and what they "research". Each child has his own email account (which we also review and have access).
It's our main form of communication with friends, family, activity updates, etc. The kids IM daddy and former exchange student daily. It's a better alternative than the phone. I allow my children to wander our library (kids,teen section) and give them the same criteria for the internet.

For families who limit their own time on the computer, it's easier than those who are on it endlessly. We have 4 computers permanently set up in the lab. When DH is at home, his is also on internet while he's working.

For those parents who limit time: where do you get news, updates, etc?

[my2kidsmom]

I also love the idea of blogging under a different name.

Just to clarify, I do not allow my children to google. If they want to google something, I do it for them. Of course this rule was made after dd googled "black mamba" and informed me that there is a lady in china with a myspace page named black mamba.:eek:...new rule...luckily, I was right there with her and she didn't click on anything inappropriate.

I googled Jack Johnson (love his music) one time and ouch--not good.

The kids enjoy watching youtube videos. They know only mom and dad are allowed to find the videos for them to watch. Both kids like webkins . DS like hotwheels. DD likes going to disney and playing on club penguin. I have spent countless hours on club penguin and find it to be appropriate. She got banned once for having a typo. I know this because when she told me she got kicked off, I email the moderator to find out what happened. They reviewed the transcript and gave her privileges back. The context of what she wrote was fine, she just left a letter out of the word "count" and was immediately banned.

Our kids are pretty computer savvy. They both follow the rules we have set. They are not given free reign though. They have sites in their favorites folder and that is where they are allowed to go. They also are not allowed on the computer during school time unless it is school related. We found a neat video on youtube about the American Revolution.
For those of you who do allow internet time, what websites do your kids like?

[Plaid Dad]

Come to find out, there is apparently a famous "adult entertainment" celeb with my stepsister's maiden name. I am so glad she has a different last name now!

I had a similar surprise when I tried to google the author of Climbing Parnassus. Let's just say you definitely want to include his middle name. :eek:

[Robin Hood]

A few years ago, I innocently mentioned to my dh that spankings don't seem to be doing the job in the discipline dept at our house and that I was going to google Spanking to get more view points on the subject. He was wiser than I when all he said was, "I wouldn't do that if I were you." I always forget about double meanings and fortunately I was quick to his meaning on that one. I haven't even come close to letting my 2 dd loose on the pc....Oh, yes I have. They discovered online checkers in the "games" section. (I forgot that they do Mavis Beacon and MUS drills.) When I realized the only talking to be done was prescripted responses, I was ok with that.